Talented Ysgol Betws Gwerful Goch dancers to visit Patagonia

North Wales Chronicle

09-05-2025

Tony and Donna Cooper-Barney, who own the five-star Palé Hall at Llandderfel, near Bala, raised nearly £16,000 by cycling 423 kilometres from Cannes in France to Pisa in Italy.
Their initial aim was to raise £10,000 for Ysgol Betws Gwerful Goch, near Corwen, in memory of their late son, James.
However, the target was surpassed and extended to £15,000.
The school's talented dancers, aged nine to 11, along with 30 from Clocswyr Conwy, have been invited to travel to Patagonia in October for a two-week visit.Tony and Donna Cooper-Barney with the pupils of Ysgol Betws Gwerful Goch and their teacher Hannah Blackford at Palé Hall (Image: Palé Hall)
The pupils will represent Wales and showcase the country's folk dancing and singing traditions, performing and teaching their skills to schools in Trelew, Patagonia, where there is a Welsh-speaking community.
The young dancers visited Palé Hall with their teacher, Hannah Blackford, to thank Tony and Donna and performed Welsh traditional dances and songs for them.
Tony and Donna said: "We are going to send the children to Patagonia and that would not have been possible without your support.
"We set an initial fundraising target of £10,000, then increased it to £15,000 and it's amazing how much money has been raised.
"This is a cause very close to our hearts.
"It's a cultural exchange, a chance for these young people to share their Welsh heritage, learn from others and build lifelong friendships rooted in mutual respect and tradition."
The couple completed the cycle marathon for the James Barney Foundation, a charity they created in memory of James, who died in a car accident at the age of 16.
The foundation helps children and young people pursue life-changing opportunities.
The couple's fundraising page is still open for donations.
The Patagonia trip is being organised by Ms Blackford, a teacher at Ysgol Betws Gwerful Goch who also teaches traditional Welsh folk dance at the school and the Clocswyr Conwy group.
She said: "I honestly couldn't believe it when I received a call to say that Tony and Donna were cycling to raise the £10,000.
"There's a real buzz around the school and the community and it will be an incredible and unforgettable experience for the children to visit Patagonia.
"They have worked so hard.
"It wouldn't be happening without Tony and Donna and the Palé Hall connection with the James Barney Foundation."
It's not the first time Tony and Donna have taken on fundraising challenges for the foundation, having previously climbed Kilimanjaro, walked the Great Wall of China and cycled through France.